Debbie DiFonzo's Missouri Real Estate Blog

Conway MO High School Receives Bronze Medal from US News & World Reports on Top High Schools

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:12:17 -0600

Conway MO High School receives Bronze medal from US News and World Report

For the second year in a row, US News and World Reports has published their list of top 100 High Schools in the United States. US News analyzed over 21,000 high schools, ranking them by Gold, Silver and Bronze standings.

Congratulations to Conway High School in Conway Missouri for being named a Bronze Medal School in Missouri. Conway was one of forty-one schools in the state to make the over-all list.

Conway High School is part of the Laclede County R-1 School District, serving approximately 270 students in grades 9 to 12.

To learn more about the schools in Conway MO, here are a few links that may be helpful:

How do you celebrate 95.3% attendance rate at Conway MO High School? You have the principal sleep on the roof, of course!

Are you smarter than a 6th grade Geography student?

Laclede County R-1 Marching Band wins 1st Place in Lebanon MO holiday parade

Conway MO Boys Baseball Team - 3rd Place Class 2 State Champs! It's a great time to be a BEAR!

Conway Elementary getting ready for Summer School (Conway, MO)

To schedule a visit to the campus and to view homes listed for sale in the Laclede County R-1 School District, please call me. I have two children in the district and love to show off our digs!

I am not paid staff nor do any of my relatives work for the district. I'm a Realtor Mom that knows it's A Great Day to be a Conway Bear!

They're back: Pick up trucks in The Ozarks {Hint: Deer Season is over!}

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:14:31 -0600

I just had to share with you this fun post by Steve Mattison.

Since it's now the end of December, the road ways are thick with pick up trucks once again. It really is an amazing phenomenon here in the Ozarks. Many businesses life in general almost come to a complete halt during deer season. Almost everything is scheduled around the deer stand.

By the way, I'll mention that deer season is over and today it was 68* here in South-central Missouri. No freezing temps for the next couple of days at least!

Via Steve Mattison (Souvenir Realty):

Driving home from work today I noticed there was no traffic on the road at all. Matter of a fact, I haven't seen any pickups in their normal parking places at the cafes, watering holes, driveways, hardware store, barber shop or even at the local walmart. Why are all those pickup trucks missing and where did they go? Suddenly my mind flashed back to that big buck that walked across the road in front of me and I realized, it is the annual migration of adults and youth into the woods for deer season a ritual hunting rite in the Ozarks. Construction, service and contact all stops in this local culture, as far as the hunters go, during deer hunting season and that is why there are no pickup trucks in sight, anywhere. So if you need to get ahold of anyone of the hunter culture this time of year, you may as well just wait till the season ends and all the pickups come back, then you can get your work done again. I love the winter but after almost freezing to death hunting a couple years ago, I am letting those younger hunters have all the fun now.

Remembering My Favorite Country Store: The Book Nook in Lisle IL

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:11:15 -0600

Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, outside of Chicago, I have vivid memories of our local, "country stores."

I remember the butcher shop, where I'd be handed a pretzel rod, if I wanted it or not.
I remember the store in downtown Naperville, IL where we'd shop for blue jeans - that's all they carried, stacked ceiling high - and just down the street, the shoe store for my new Buster Browns each school year.
I remember going into the hobby shop on Main Street in Lisle IL and the flower shop just a few doors down.
I remember the bakery and Reidy's Hardware store. The Coffee Cup was an all time favorite and the Bowling Alley a popular hang out.

Most of all, I remember the Book Nook. I can still see the shop, nestled near the bank and flower shop in Lisle, IL. A red awning proudly announced the name of the store, and the door was inset, shielding you from rain and snow.

Walk in the door, to your left, on an old wooden bench you'd find every newspaper you could imagine - The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Washington Post. On your right, they carried rows and rows of magazines; beyond the magazines, racks of greeting cards, penny candy, cigarettes, cigars, ice cream and lottery tickets. The real wood floors always looked old, a strange observation I remember as a kid.

I remember the smell. The sweet smell of tobacco and the pungent odor of ink.

The Book Nook is still in Lisle, IL - in this same spot, and with the same wooden floors, I've been told.

I don't remember a Wal-Mart until the mid to late 1980's. I can vaguely picture the store in my mind; no particular smells come to mind, and I can't tell you were they kept the ice cream.

One day, I hope to recreate the memories of the Book Nook - that is my dream - to own my own book store.

Do you have country store memories? If so, feel free to post a link to your story in the comments below - I'd love to read about the memories that were made.

Make your dreams come true: Offered for sale - Country Store in Plato MO {10757 Hwy 32 Plato MO 65552}

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:55:40 -0600

Do you have a favorite country store memory?
Have you ever thought about owning your own piece of American history?
Perhaps you've never been in a true country store -

Offered for sale in Plato Missouri - Shop Rite Grocery and Grill

Sitting on the main drag of Plato MO, the Grocery and Grill is one of the last remaining threads to rural Missouri living.

You'll find all your basic grocery staples, including a small deli area, pop, milk and bread. They also offer soft serve ice cream, an ATM machine, cigarettes and fresh fruits/vegetables.

You'll find eleven tables to sit, relax and chew the fat, as they saying goes. The kitchen is state of the art including pizza ovens for the Hunt Brothers Pizza franchise.

Outside, you'll find storage buildings, U-Haul rental and behind the store, a one bedroom home to use as a rental or owner's living quarters.

While I was at the store a week or so ago, a high school student stopped by on his way to school - for an ice cream cone! I've been told he is a "regular" - stopping in almost daily for his early morning cone. These are the memories he will remember long after leaving Plato MO.

The building is over 4,200 square feet, on 1+ acres and offers plenty of room for expansion. What can you dream? Perhaps you wish to add movie/game rentals or feed/hay sales; add fresh baked pies and donuts from one of the local women; host a scrap booking party in the restaurant, offer the space to the local 4-H group for their meetings.

Located a short distance to Fort Wood, one of the largest Army installations in the country, this area will continue to offer new opportunities.

The sky is really the only limit you'll have here! At an offering price of $289,000 this property is priced to allow you to grow. This property will allow you to create your own memories. Memories that will last someone a life time.

Let me help you Find Your Freedom in Missouri - live, create, breathe.

For your private showing of the Shop Rite Grocery and Grill in Plato Missouri, contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, with United Country VIP Realty in Lebanon Missouri.

417-533-4015 Mobile Phone
missouriagent@msn.com

For more photos, visit:
www.FindYourFreedomMissouri.com
www.UCMissouri.com

How do you celebrate 95.3% attendance rate at Conway MO High School? You have the principal sleep on the roof, of course!

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:26:35 -0600

This year has brought a new High School principal, a new Junior High principal,a new Elementary School principal and a new Superintendent to Laclede County R-1 schools in Conway Missouri. A few new faces and a few familiar faces in new spots has brought a new life to the district and ... a little more FUN.

The High School principal, Mr. Reeves, has helped revitalize our school spirit. He introduced our new slogan:

It's a great day to be a Conway Bear!

Mr. Reeves, and the Junior High principal, Mr. Lowrance, recently challenged students to exceed last year's attendance numbers: 95% for the year 2007/2008. (The state average for the same time period: 92.2%)

The students met that challenge - 95.3% for the second quarter of 2008/2009 - and the two principals find themselves paying up by sleeping spending the night up on the roof of the high school. They climbed up to the roof top at 7 pm tonight and will stay until 7 am tomorrow morning.

No rain or snow tonight; only a little wind. And, a rumor or two of water balloons. . .

I can't help but wonder if Mr. Reeves still thinks It's a great day to be a Conway Bear!

THE TOP 10 EVENTS IMPACTING REAL ESTATE IN 2008

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:52:21 -0600

I spend much of my time explaining to Sellers, to buyers and even to other real estate agents - Real estate has changed and is continuing to do so, almost daily.

Often, I get a blank stare.

Stefan Swanepoel has written a splendid summary of events impacting the real estate business in 2008. I find it interesting that he has a list of 10 events - reinforcing how complex our current economic market has become, real estate and beyond.

This is a must read for those wondering, How in the world did be get to this point? Here is the good... and the bad... Thanks Stefan!

Via Stefan Swanepoel (Trends Expert, Author & Speaker):

As part of the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report that is published every year during the first week of February, the research team wraps their four month study of the real estate industry by announcing the top 10 Newsmakers, Events and Trendsetters for the year.

The second list to be released is the top 10 events that during 2008 had the largest impact and influence on the real estate brokerage industry. Events are defined as those occurrences that transpired during the previous calendar year (2008) that made headlines and captured the attention of the real estate industry. The selection of these events was based upon their potential future impact on the industry rather than only their 2008 impact.

The Top 10 Events impacting Real Estate for 2008 are:

1.     The Bailout: September 17^th

Most notably the one single event of the year was the announcement of the "Silver Bullet" designed to save the country from the subprime collapse itself and the failure/buyout of major Wall Street firms and national banks. Depending upon how effectively the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act's $700 billion is going to be allocated and managed it may prove to be the beginning of the turning point in the current economic recession.

2.     The Presidential Election

In one of the most competitive, contentious, divisive and yet historic political campaigns the country responded with the largest voter turnout in history to remove the incumbent president and elect an African American, Barak Obama as president. The "I have a dream" has taken a huge step toward fulfillment. However, the new administration will have little time to reflect on victory as it faces serious economic challenges and a trillion dollar plus debt that will take years to resolve.

3.     In Memory Of: Countrywide, IndyMac, WAMU, Wachovia And Others

Barely one year ago in 2007 these companies were not only household names but were considered financial giants. In one short year they have become a factoid of history. Some filed for bankruptcy while others were acquired by the likes of Bank of America, the federal government, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo. 2008 reminded us that nothing lasts forever and everything is replaceable.

4.     Facing Foreclosure Frenzy

As a direct fallout of the subprime collapse, the foreclosure rate in the U.S. hit staggering levels in 2008. At the opening of the third quarter foreclosures were up 25% over the previous October with a reported one in every 452 of the country's homes in foreclosure. RealtyTrac reported last October that there was a sharp decline in foreclosure filings but it still estimated that by the end of 2008 there would be more than one million REOs on the books.

5. Home Prices Spiral Downward

The recession devastated many real estate markets across the country with the worst-performing towns and cities in places like central California, Miami and Las Vegas posting declines of 40% in 2008. The stranglehold on financing continued to drive home prices in many other places back to 2000 - 2002 levels, with predictions of continued declines in 2009 as unemployment reaches record highs and the financial meltdown spills over to other industries.

6.     NAR - DOJ Settlement

Finally the long and protracted 2½ year legal battle between NAR and the Department of Justice (DOJ) was put to rest as Judge Kennelly issued his final judgment in November. In the end, NAR's longstanding Internet Data Exchange (IDX) policy was validated as NAR was deemed to have not admitted any liability or wrongdoing and no payments were made in conjunction with the settlement. In addition, NAR has been cleared to reinstate an updated version of its Virtual Office Website (VOW) and the MLS has been preserved and strengthened in the process. Now it's back to business.

7.     Brokers Go Bust

Changing names, merging, consolidating, filing bankruptcy and closing branches was on the order of the day throughout 2008 as literally thousands of real estate brokerages companies went out of business during 2008. This included many independents as well as franchises from just about every major brand including Century 21, EXIT and RE/MAX. Also filling for bankruptcy is national franchise Help-U-Sell and Web 2.0 newcomers such as Igglo. 2009 may see even more brokers closing up shop than 2008.

8.     Keeping It Short

Founded in 2006, Twitter moved into the mainstream this year as the next evolution in the social networking and micro-blogging environment. By using short text-based posts (affectionately named "tweets"), staying in touch has been given a whole new meaning.

9.     ActiveRain Explodes Past 100,000 Members

As we discussed in last year's report (Trend #1 - Two Worlds; One Industry) ActiveRain has moved to the head of the social networking line in the real estate industry. With as many as 35,000 users logged on at the same time, no one else has even come close to reaching that many Realtors^® at one time. It goes without saying that ActiveRain has proven that social networking has made a home in real estate.

10. NAR Celebrates 100 Years

In May 1908, 120 men gathered in Chicago with the goal to "unite the real estate men of America." Today the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is America's largest trade association representing more than 1.2 million members. For 100 years, NAR and its members have established homeownership as a cornerstone of the American Dream and advocated private property rights as one of the fundamental principles that unite us as Americans. 2008 marked NAR's centennial birthday.

How many of these events impacted you or were/are you aware of?

HARD WORKING LISTING AGENT WITH PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN MISSOURI

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:56:54 -0600

It's no secret: I love to list.There is something about viewing a property, researching the comparables, finding that right Buyer with that right puzzle piece to make the perfect fit, that keeps me going day in and day out.

Lenn Harley has done a wonderful job, in my humble opinion, of highlighting the challenges of listing in today's market. Today's market is different than yesterday's market.

Here in Laclede, Dallas and Webster Counties of Missouri we haven't seen the dramatic price declines as seen in other parts of the country but we still have an ever changing market.

If you're thinking of selling your Missouri home or farm, please give me a call. I am a hard working listing agent that is not afraid to tell the world - I have properties to SELL!

I can promise you - my head is not stuck in the sand!

Debbie DiFonzo, e-PRO, GRI, SRS
United Country VIP Realty
417-532-2031 Lebanon MO Office Phone
417-468-5900 Marshfield MO Office Phone
www.FindYourFreedomMissouri.com

Via Lenn Harley Homefinders.com MD & VA Real Estate:

WHAT WOULD A BUYER'S AGENT DO WITHOUT HOMES TO SHOW?

I JUST SPENT THE WEEKEND SHOWING HOMES TO A LOVELY BUYER FAMILY IN LOUDOUN COUNTY. Business may be slow for all real estate agents and brokers, but, I can tell you from experience, that this market must be a lot harder on listing agents than buyers agents.

BUYERS AGENTS AND BROKERS ARE NOT FACING THE CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY LISTING AGENTS AND BROKERS IN TODAY'S REAL ESTATE MARKET PLACE.

THERE!!! I SAID IT. Of course, I have always admired the skill and hard work of good listing agents. Without them bringing good homes to market, what would we buyers agents sell??

TIMES HAVE CHANGED. Who would have thought a few short years ago that listing agents, which includes about 95% of all licensees, brokers and agents, would be faced with the complexities of learning about foreclosures and short sales for the first time.

SHORT SALES as a routine market segment.

FORECLOSURES as a larger percentage of listings than at any time in memory.

SELLERS who believe that the real estate market hasn't moved since early 2005.

BUYERS who believe that any listing will be half the price next month.

LISTING AGENTS CAN'T JUST PUT THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND. What does an experienced listing agent tell home owners who are faced with the prospect of not being able to compete with the Short Sale and Foreclosure listings in their neighborhood in price. What do they tell sellers who wish to move up to a new home or larger home after 3-4 years in the town that they planned on owning for only a couple of years.

LISTING AGENTS ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO BEAR THE BAD NEWS. How does even the most experienced listing agent tell a home owner to whom they sold their home 3-4 years ago that, even if a buyer would pay their desired price, the property would not appraise?

HOW DO AGENTS PRICE PROPERTIES IN TODAY'S MARKET? What does a listing agent do when they research a property for a listing presentation that homes in the neighborhood are now selling for 3/2 of what the owners paid 3 years ago?

I KNOW YOU LOVE THAT LILAC DINING ROOM, BUT. . . . How does a listing agent tell sellers who drop in to an Open House that there are 6 homes in the neighborhood that are priced more attractively and in better condition, but this home is priced based on what the owners owe and the children selected the color of the paint on the walls.

IF I GIVE YOU THE LISTING, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR ME? How much is the listing agent supposed to spend for advertising in the newspapers, magazines, etc. knowing full well that the most likely buyer will come from the IDX or MLS through a co-operating agent. Of course, there are listing agents who excel in the real estate market place of today. However, I suspect that even they would admit that it is a lot harder than in the "Halcyon Days" of years past when listing a property usually meant selling a property.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HOME BUYER LOOKS AT ACTIVE LISTINGS ON THE INTERNET?

In my area for homes priced between $150,000 and $750,000, prospective home buyers are going to see:

FORECLOSURE LISTINGS, which are going to be priced about 10% lower than regular listings.

SHORT SALE LISTINGS, which are going to be priced about 10-25% lower than regular listings.

REGULAR LISTINGS which are going to be priced about 20-35% higher than the foreclosures and short sales.

FOR SIMILARLY LOCATED SIZE AND LOCATION, the foreclosures and short sales are the homes that the prospective home buyer asks to tour. Of course, we could look at the comparable listings and include some "regular" listings in the tour, but it doesn't take long for a buyer to see the value in the foreclosures and short sales.

BUT, WHAT ABOUT CONDITION? When a property is priced 25% lower than 75% of the listings in a community, the buyers will consider anything other than structural defects, mold, wet basement, etc. to be nothing more than cosmetics that they can take care of themselves.

IT'S ROUGH OUT THERE. I SUSPECT THAT FEW LICENSEES TRULY UNDERSTAND HOW ROUGH IT IS THAN LISTING AGENTS IN A MARKET WHERE HOME PRICES ARE FALLING DAILY.

ALL I can say to the listing agents in my market is:

THANKS! GOOD JOB.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

Lebanon Missouri weather: Ever changing

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:42:32 -0600

I am getting wimpy.

At first I thought it was old age - I did turn 40 this year, you know.

But, I think I have decided it's not the age, it's the location.

Having grown up in Naperville Illinois, about 32 miles south west of Chicago, we had some cold, wet winters. The wind would not only blow, it would whip. The snow would not only fall, it would keep on falling. And, once you had snow "up North" it stayed until spring.

I've lived in Missouri for almost nine years. Seem strange to type that - the time has gone by so very fast. The first year I was here, people would tell me not to worry about the weather - it was constantly changing. It didn't take me long to figure out: they were right! The weather here in South Central Missouri can change in a matter of minutes.

One of the first years we were here, it was 72* on Christmas Day. We washed the car outside and the neighbor was riding her horse in our pasture. That same year Ray golfed more in January than he had the June before!

Earlier this week, the temperature was in the 60's. The leaves are almost all gone, but for the most part, the grass is still green.

So you can imagine I was a little miffed when Grandma called about twenty mintues ago: Tell the kids to look out the window, snowflakes are falling!

What!

Snowflakes!

Granted they are not sticking to the ground, but they were falling none the less. Just the word itself sent a shiver over me and made my toes cold!

They have stopped now. I can hear the cars outside on the wet pavement. We have a very light drizzle.

My husband had to remind me, Deb, it is almost December 1st.

Okay. So. Your point is?

I love my four seasons and that is what I have here in Missouri. But, I have to admit, I am getting a little wimpy when it comes to Season No. 4: winter. Or maybe wimpy isn't the right word. Maybe just spoiled!

Snow was never a thought at last weeks Lebanon MO Christmas Parade.

Bookworm MeMe.... Thanks Don Rogers for asking: I am reading....

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:29:20 -0600

Thanks to my good friend Don Rogers, I was tagged for the bookworm MeMe a few weeks ago. However, a few sick kids, work, my own case of the flu and the Thanksgiving holiday put my MeMe on the back burner. Tonight, it's a little chilly here in Missouri and I debated: read my latest book or play work on the computer. Ah, the MeMe will allow me to do both, at least for a little while!

The task at hand:

Grab the nearest book
Open the book to page 56
Find the fifth sentence
Post the text of the next two to five sentences
Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
Do not use the Bible

I read something every night before bed. Sometimes a "foo foo" book, sometimes business related, sometimes I only make a magazine article if I'm tired. I had picked up this book a few months back. I dug picked it out of my reading stack last week after writing a post on the Law of Attraction and the Media.

My current read: Sacred Secrets: Finding Your Way to Joy, Peace and Prosperity

From page 56, the fifth sentence, and a few more:

"When we think we do not have enough, it is time to start giving.
We can give of our time. Give of our talent and energy. Give of our financial resources.
As we demonstrate faith in giving, the universe will respond in kind. Give gratitude and love, not with doubt, dread or sacrifice."

This book is made up of 35 essays from various writers, teachers, and ministers. It is designed to take the blockbuster bestseller, The Secret, one step further.

For your own copy of Sacred Secrets, visit UnityOnline.org

Are you smarter than a 6th grade Geography student?

Debbie DiFonzo-United Country VIP Realty-Missouri — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:09:19 -0600

I had no idea there was such an event: The National Geographic Bee.

Since 1989, the National Geographic Society has been hosting a Geographic Bee for students. First the students compete in their classroom or homeschooling group. One winner per classroom/group. Then the classroom winners go on to compete at the school level. One winner per school / homeschooling group. That winner will then take a written test, with the top 100 scores going to the State level Geographic Bee. One state winner will go on to national.

My daughter won her classroom round and this week participated in our school level competition. Many of these questions I could easily answer. But I have to admit, many of them, I just shook my head, thinking "I have no idea." Good thing Google is a co-sponsor of the Bee, as we relied heavily on the Internet to verify answers.

While my daughter was eliminated after the end of the third round, it was a great experience for her.

She can stand up in front of a crowd - in this case her school peers - with confidence. She picked up some geography knowledge that she otherwise would not have known and we were able to interact together to look up answers and facts.

Congratulations to Nathan Ford, the Ezard Elementary 2008/2009 National Geographic Bee winner. (Conway MO)

Here are a few questions for the preliminary competition study guide:
Are you smarter than a 6th grade Geography student?

1. Which present day state did the Oregon Trail pass through? Wyoming or New Mexico

2. Which state is located in New England? New Hampshire or Delaware

3. Which state has more national parks? Utah or Missouri

4. Which state has a longer shoreline along Lake Erie? Pennsylvania or Ohio

5. Which state receives more annual precipitation? North Dakota or Oregon

6. The Blue Mountains run through parts of Washington and which other state? California or Oregon

7. To visit Ankara's Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, you would travel to which country located just north of Syria?

8. To ride on the region's first subway system, in Tashkent, you would travel to which Central Asian country?

9. To see ships loading and unloading goods in Riga, a major port on the Baltic Sea, you would travel to which European country?

10. To stand inside Georgetown's cathedral, one of the world's tallest freestanding wood buildings, you would travel to the capital of which South American country?

11. To visit the highest national capital in the world you would travel to what landlocked country in South America?

12. To visit important Buddhist monuments near the Mekong River you would travel to which Asian country?

An important side note: Geography receives NO federal funding. While geography is a required subject in our schools, the No Child Left Behind Act does not fund this subject. We typically hear about those subjects that do receive funding: reading, math, science, teaching American history and foreign language assistance programs.